The Barcelona president admits that there was some friction between the pair but believes it is par for the course in a working environment and was heavily overstressed
Lionel Messi
's falling out with Barcelona
coach Luis Enrique
was heavily exaggerated, according to club president Josep Bartomeu.
Tensions between the pair were said to come to a head at the beginning of the year, which led to the Argentina international to be linked with a move away from Camp Nou and created speculation over Luis Enrique's own future.
But after denying Messi and the Catalan club's coach had problems in their professional relationship in January, Bartomeu has once again insisted there are no issues between the pair - although he admitted there had been frictions in the past.
When asked about reports on the alleged conflict between Messi and Enrique, Bartomeu told AS: "It was very exaggerated.
"In any case, conflicts between players and the coach is normal in any workplace. A good team grows as a result of conflicts and finding solutions."
Messi has been included in Luis Enrique's 18-man squad for Barcelona's game against Real Madrid at Camp Nou on Sunday, with the Catalan giants going into the Clasico leading La Liga by one point.
The Brazilian legend has told Goal that he would rather have the Argentine in his team than the Portuguese superstar as the two get ready for Sunday's Clasico clash
Pele insists he would rather have Lionel Messi than Cristiano Ronaldo in his team as the two prepare to go head-to-head in Sunday's Clasico.
The two modern-day greats are set to face off in the crucial clash, with Barcelona currently a point ahead of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.
And Pele, who won three World Cups during his playing days and is widely regarded as the finest footballer of all time, says that he would pick Messi over Ballon d'Or holder Ronaldo if he were a coach.
“They play a different kind of football, but I think Messi is more for the team, and gives more assists, whereas Ronaldo is more about scoring," he told Goal in an exclusive interview.
“I think Ronaldo is a lot like Ronaldo Nazario from Brazil, he is the same style as him.
“If I had a team and had to choose, I’d choose Messi. But both players are fantastic.”
Asked whether the two would be able to replicate their current goalscoring exploits in his era, Pele insisted the pair have timeless talent.
“No, I think they are good players who could play at any time. Even in my time, I managed to score more than 1000 goals,” he added.
Messi will line up alongside Pele’s compatriot Neymar on Sunday, with the Brazilian star having netted 26 goals in 35 games so far this term.
But the 74-year-old, speaking at a Subway restaurant in London after preparing a footlong sandwich alongside former Liverpool stars Robbie Fowler and Steve McManaman, insists the Barca attacker can get even better with experience.
“Listen, we always expect Neymar to play well... even myself, for example, because he is from Santos and I helped him when he was a youth,” he said.
“My son, Edinho, was a goalkeeper at Santos and was his coach there. Then everybody crossed their fingers hoping that Neymar would keep it going.
“He is a good player, no doubt. I think he needs a little bit more experience, but he has a great future.
